Application Requirements, Procedures and Guideliness

Kosovo is a new country located in the Southeast Europe, which has declared its independence from Serbia in February of 2008 and thus became known as the Republic of Kosovo.
Visa requirements for Kosovo are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of the state placed for the citizens of other countries.

Who needs a Kosovo Visa?

Countries that need a visa to visit or transit Kosovo:

Afghanistan

Gabon

Pakistan

Algeria

Gambia

Peru

Angola

Georgia

Philippines

Armenia

Ghana

Republic of Moldova

Azerbaijan

Guinea

Russian Federation

Bangladesh

Guinea Bissau

Rwanda

Belarus

Guyana

Senegal

Bhutan

Haiti

Sierra Leone

Bolivia (Plurinational State of)

India

Somalia

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Indonesia

South Sudan

Burkina Faso

Iran

Sri Lanka

Burundi

Iraq

Sudan

Côte D’Ivoire

Jamaica

Suriname

Cabo Verde

Kazakhstan

Syrian Arab Republic

Cambodia

Kenya

Tajikistan

Cameroon

Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of)

Tanzania (United Kingdom of Tanzania)

Central African Republic

Kyrgyzstan

Thailand

Chad

Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Togo

China (except for diplomatic and service passport holders)

Lebanon

Tunisia

Comoros

Liberia

Turkmenistan

Congo

Libya

Uganda

Cuba

Madagascar

Ukraine

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Mali

Uzbekistan

Djibouti

Mauritania

Vietnam

Dominican Republic

Mongolia

Yemen

Ecuador

Morocco

Zambia

Egypt

Mozambique

Zimbabwe

Equatorial Guinea

Myanmar

Eritrea

Niger

Ethiopia

Nigeria

*Note: As a citizen of the countries listed above, you may enter Kosovo for 15 days without a visa if:

You are a holder of a valid biometric residence permit issued by one of the Schengen member states or a valid multi-entry Schengen Visa

You are a holder of a valid Laissez-Passer issued by the United Nations Organizations, NATO, OSCE, Council of Europe or European Union

You are a holder of a valid travel document issued by EU Member and Schengen States, United States of America, Canada, Australia, and Japan based on the 1951 Convention on Refugee Status or the 1954 Convention on the Status of Stateless Persons, as well as holders of valid travel documents for foreigners (for a maximum stay of 15 days)

You may visit or transit Kosovo without a visa for up to 90 days within a 6-month period with a valid travel document, identification card or a document confirming your identity and nationality:

Albania

Hungary

Paraguay

Andorra

Iceland

Poland

Antigua and Barbuda

Ireland

Portugal

Argentina

Israel

Qatar

Australia

Italy

Republic of Korea

Austria

Japan

Romania

Bahamas

Jordan

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Bahrain

Kiribati

Saint Lucia

Barbados

Kuwait

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Belgium

Latvia

Samoa

Belize

Lesotho

San Marino

Botswana

Liechtenstein

Sao Tome and Principe

Brazil

Lithuania

Saudi Arabia

Brunei Darussalam

Luxembourg

Serbia

Bulgaria

Macao

Seychelles

Canada

North Macedonia

Singapore

Chile

Malawi

Slovakia

Colombia

Malaysia

Slovenia

Costa Rica

Maldives

Solomon Islands

Croatia

Malta

South Africa

Cyprus

Marshall Islands

Spain

Czech Republic

Mauritius

Swaziland

Denmark

Mexico

Sweden

Dominica

Micronesia (Federal State of Micronesia)

Switzerland

El Salvador

Monaco

Taiwan – Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) – you need to notify the diplomatic and consular posts of Kosovo prior to traveling (in same Kosovo embassies, either Tirana or Istanbul)

Estonia

Montenegro

Timor-Leste

Fiji

Namibia

Tonga

Finland

Nauru

Trinidad and Tobago

France

Netherlands, The

Turkey

Germany

New Zealand

Tuvalu

Greece

Nicaragua

United Arab Emirates

Grenada

Norway

United Kingdom (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)

Guatemala

Oman

United States of America

Holy See

Palau

Uruguay

Honduras

Panama

Vanuatu

Hong Kong

Papua New Guinea

Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)

Exemption from Visa Requirements applies to the following categories as well:

Citizens of the countries that are required a visa, but hold a biometric valid residence permit issued by one of the Schengen Member States or a valid multi-entry Schengen Visa – will be exempt from a visa for entering, transit, or stay in the territory of the Republic of Kosovo for 15 days.

Citizens of the EU and the Schengen Member States; Holy See; Principality of Andorra; Principality of Monaco; Republic of San Marino, Republic of Albania, Montenegro, and Republic of Serbia are allowed to enter, transit, and stay in Kosovo for up to 90 days over a 6-month period with a valid biometric identification card.

Holders of diplomatic and service passports issued by the Russian Federation States, People’s Republic of China, Egypt, Indonesia, and Ukraine shall be allowed to enter, transit or stay up to 15 days in the territory of the Republic of Kosovo.

Holders of valid travel documents issued by Special Administrative Regions of People’s Republic of China: Hong Kong and Macao are exempt from the visa obligations.

Holders of travel documents issued by Taiwan shall be exempt from the visa obligation as long as they primarily notify the Diplomatic or Consular Mission of the Republic of Kosovo, at least 2 weeks in advance.

Holders of travel documents issued by the EU Member States, Schengen Area States, United States of America, Canada, Australia, Japan based on the 1951 Convention on Refugee Status or the 1954 Convention on the Status of Stateless Persons. Also, holders of valid travel documents for foreigners are allowed to enter, pass through the territory (transit) and stay in the Republic of Kosovo for up to 15 days without a visa.

Holders of Laissez-Passer, regardless of their nationality, issued by the United Nations Organizations, NATO, OSCE, Council of Europe and European Union, are also exempt from the visa requirement.

How to Apply for a Kosovo Visa?

If you are not a citizen of any of the countries that do need a visa or a part of the exempt category – wishing to enter, visit, or transit through the territory of the Republic of Kosovo comes with the requirement to apply for a Kosovo visa.

Applications should be lodged in person maximum 3 months before the intended visit!

Document Requirements

A completed and signed application form. Persons included in the applicant’s travel document should apply on separate application forms. Minors must submit an application form signed by a legal guardian or a person that holds permanent or temporary parental authority

A recent photograph, not older than 1 month, in accordance with the international standards as set out in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) document 9303 Part 1, 6th edition

A copy of your travel document. The validity of this travel document should extend at least 3 (three) months after the intended date of departure from the territory of the Republic of Kosovo, and it should contain a minimum of two blank pages

Documents indicating the purpose of your travel to the Republic of Kosovo

Documents indicating your accommodation, and a proof of sufficient means to cover for your accommodation

Documents indicating the possession of sufficient means to support the duration of the intended stay and return to country of origin or residence. If you are a transit to a third country, where you are certainly admitted – you should still bring the document indicating your sufficient means to support your intended transit or a proof that you are in a position to lawfully acquire such means

Information enabling an assessment of your intention to leave the territory of the Republic of Kosovo before the expiry of the visa you have applied for

Travel medical insurance valid throughout the territory of the Republic of Kosovo, covering for the entire period of your intended stay or transit

Proof of your visa fee payment of 40€, unless you are a holder of a diplomatic and official passport; or children under six (6) years old; school children, students and teachers accompanying and visiting for training or study purposes

*For bank details, check with the Diplomatic of Consular Mission.

Other Important Information

The Consular officer may request additional supporting documents from the applicant

All supporting documents must be translated into one of Kosovo’s official languages: Albanian, Serbian or English

All documents must be submitted in two copies

Holders of diplomatic and official passports are exempted from the visa fee and do not need to apply in person

The applicant whose visa is refused can file a complaint within 8 calendar days to the respective Consular Mission, where initially applied

Possessing only a valid visa does not automatically guarantee entry in the territory of the Republic of Kosovo

Payment for Consular Services

Payment for all consular services should be made through the bank. Fees for specific services must be paid to the Consulate General of the Republic of Kosovo in the specific account, by depositing the specific amount of money to the relevant bank. In the US, payment must be made in dollars, equivalent to the amount in Euros, as exchanged by the US banks.

Consular Fees

List of consular service fees:

Fees for identification card – 40€

Travel document for return – 30€

Travel pass for deceased – 20€

Passport for first time over 18 years of age – 100€

Lost/damaged/renewed passport – 85€

Passport for children up to 3 years – €80

Passport for children from 3-18 years – 70€

Fees for civil registry services:

Registration of birth – 20€

Registration of marriage – 20€

Registration of death – 20€

Conclusion of Marriage – 120€

Fees for citizenship:

Application for acquisition/renunciation of citizenship – 50€

Decision on the acquisition of citizenship – 180€

Decision on the acquisition of citizenship for minors 80€

Decision on the renunciation of citizenship with a release – 180€

Decision on the renunciation of citizenship with a release for minors – 80€